This Nap is NOT Happening

We installed a camera in Jude's room a couple months ago. The idea being that we'd be able to keep an eye on him while he's playing (alone and with other kids), and occasionally check in on him while he's sleeping or trying to nap.

Today we thought we heard a little scuffle in his room. We popped open the iPad, fired up the camera app, and this is what we saw:

Jude Turns Two

Happy Birthday!

Defiance, crankiness, challenging authority, throwing toys, tantrums and non stop energy. And that's just John.

Jude is two years old. Whew. What an amazing 24 months. A year ago he was just getting his feet under him, and now we can't let his hand go or he'll sprint away. He was just finally getting some decent hair, and now we've got to trim it every month. He's our little man and we're just so happy to be able to watch all of this amazing stuff happen. 

This year we had a little get together with our frieds the Tice's (Matt, Noelle and Jude's pal Landon). Jude's favorite character is still Mickey Mouse, so we stuck with that theme and spiced it up a little. As usual, Ashleigh outdid herself with the cake (you'll see) and gave our favorite little boy a great birthday to remember.

Good morning, birthday boy!

 You've got some surprises waiting for you beyond these balloons!

 "You know I LOVE Balloons!!!"

"da da da da da da da da they say it's your birthday da da da da da da da...it's my birthday too, yeah"

Another classic Ashleigh creation. Right now; Mickey, but soon: Toodles!

The Chef at work

 Almost there, looking great

 The finished product. Believe it or not, it tasted even better than it looked!

The amazing chef at work. 

 "Eh, all this cooking has got me pooped. Can we go play now?"

To the Jump Zone! Where all kids' bouncy dreams come true!

 Jude was not a huge fan of being alone in the bouncy houses

 But he loves him some Elmo....

 and foosball!

And now for a little evening celebration, fit for a tiny Prince

What a lucky boy!

Thanks for joining us, Tice's

 "Whoa! It's Toodles!"

Happy Birthday to the coolest 2 year old a couple of parents could hope for. Can't wait to share #3 with you all in 12 months!

Goodbye 2012, Hello Friends!

Should auld acquantance be forgot,

and never grought to mind,

should auld acquantance be forgot,

and auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear,

for auld lang syne,

we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,

for auld lang syne

Nobody from our generation really knows or sings that song anymore, but it still gives you that warm fuzzy feeling when you hear it. Out with the old, in with the new (year). Let last year's troubles drift away, and let the new year bring great memories and prosperity. What better to kick that off than a visit with great friends!

The DeVries' and Girdlers couldn't make it to Friendsgiving this year (see previous post for details), but were able to sneak away from the Metropolis of Heyworth and the easy living of Chicago (wait a second...strike that/reverse it...) to visit us down here in ol' Arkansas. Great fun ensued:

We had friends driving in from hours away, so naturally we got our first decent snow of the year! 

But the Bennet house was stocked with food and booze and ready to host the hell out of this New Years bash 

After getting in late the night before, the boys had some quality time playing with Jude's new Choo-Choo 

Brigid and Tyler snuggling up on the couch, I imagine the coffee was brewing 

Nick and his little Monkey enjoying a mild Winter morning 

Jacob Girdler hard at work on the work bench 

And after a long day of playing....rest 

What's this a second wind for Jude? Never one to miss an opportunity to make people laugh... 

"Hello my honey, hello my darlin' hello my ragtime gaaaaal....." 

Uncle Nick swoops in for a little bowler hat piggy back ride. 

Ladies of the weekend, whipping up something delicious for the boys, I'm sure 

"They say we're young, and we don't know, we won't find out until we grow...." 

"...They say our love won't pay the rent, before it's earned our money's all been spent" 

Bath time for the boys! 

A little Champagne for the occasion...just minutes til midnight! 

Oh well this is, um, yeah. Happy New Year!

Couple of group shots at midnight. Thanks again for coming down, everyone, what a great weekend! 

And what night would be complete without a little couples Karaoke in the play closet.